Coach John Smith
John Smith (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)"This is going to be an exciting year and we are going to keep our redshirts in redshirt. We are always looking for the opportunity to win championships but that could be a tall order for us this year with only one returning All-American, two if you count Brandon Mason from a couple years ago. This season will be a journey and we will improve as the year goes on."
On the Cowboys' lower weights
"I look at a guy like Obe Blanc at 125 who made a commitment to finish his career here and I like what I see. At 133, there's a good chance you'll see Tyler Shinn. It's time for him to step up as a junior. Right from the start, he should be competitive with the top guys in the nation."
On his team
"We're young, but there's a standard here and we aren't there right now. The season will be a journey and we are going to have to be patient. These are some of the best years in coaching. These are the years where you personally grow as a coach taking a kid from point A to point Z."
On the group of young wrestlers in the program
"Since I've been here, we've had eight four-time All-Americans so that is something that is out there for some of these guys. This isn't a group where you can wait for them to be sophomores. We need to wrestle them as freshmen."
On the maturation and development of Jared Rosholt
"As he became a better student in school, he has gotten better as a wrestler. It's the attention to detail. Jared came in weighing 215 as a freshman wrestling against a guy like Cole Konrad at 275 pounds or in the wrestling room with Steve Mocco who was way bigger and was experienced. He has developed and matured to be where he is, but for him to win a national championship, he needs to get better."
Jamal Parks (R-Freshman 141-pounder)
On his development
"I have come a long way in my technique and Coach Smith has been a big part of that. Coleman Scott and Zack Esposito and a lot of different people have helped me and all those guys have had a big impact on me."
On the Cowboys' off-season
"We've had an amazing off-season lifting and working hard."
On his approach to the coming season
"I know I have a long way to go and I need to keep progressing every year."
On what he has worked on specifically
"I need to focus on being on top. I'm good on my feet and I'm confident in what I can do there. Getting away shouldn't be a problem either after practicing with Coleman Scott riding me all those times in the wrestling room. Where I need to get better and what I'm focusing on is being on top."
Newly McSpadden (Senior 157-pounder)
On his teammates and what to expect
"We have a lot of young guys in our room right now who are going to be good. Jamal Parks will step in big and will bring a lot of excitement to the mat when he's out there."
On the level of competition within the OSU wrestling room, including at his weight class
"Competition in the room makes everyone better. Spots are not guaranteed because there are other people who can wrestle too. That's part of what has made Oklahoma State wrestling what it is."
Newly McSpadden (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)"I feel like when I came in as a freshman, I was a follower and I spent a lot of time watching guys working hard and winning championships at the end of the year. Now I'm motivated to be that kind of leader for the younger guys."
On how OSU assistant coach Tyrone Lewis has helped him
"Tyrone has helped make me more offensive and better on my feet."
On what he worked on this off-season
"I actually started on this last February when it clicked for me what I needed to do to win a national championship. I need to work on different setups, different positions and not letting people control me. Instead, I control them."
Jared Rosholt (Junior 285-pounder)
On who has inspired him
"There are so many good wrestlers who have come here, but my brother and Coleman Scott are two guys who I really look up to. Watching Coleman last year was great because he wanted only one thing and that was to win a national championship. To watch him work day in and day out in the room and eventually win that title made an impact on me and other guys as well."
On who people should watch for this year
"I look forward to watching Clayton Foster this year. He has really developed and I think he is ready to take a step."
On who he trains with as the only heavyweight on the OSU roster
"Going back to last year and now still this year, the guy who I train with in practice is Daniel Cormier."
Brandon Mason (Senior 165-pounder)
On making the move to 165 pounds from 174 pounds
"It hasn't been much different and I won't have any troubles making the move to 165 because that's my natural weight. I feel comfortable with the move and I'm excited about what I can do."
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now